Anderson County Library System Internet and Computer Use Policy

In order to fulfill its mission to the citizens of Anderson County, the Anderson County Library System provides access to an extensive range of informational, educational, and recreational resources, including those available through the Internet. This policy has been established to ensure responsible and appropriate use of the Internet and computers within the library system.

Rights and Responsibilities of Users

The Internet enables access to a wealth of valuable and reliable information from a variety of sources. However, unlike most materials found in a library (books, magazines and audio-visual materials, which are selected by professional library staff) it also provides access to information that may be inaccurate, controversial, illegal, personally offensive to the viewer, or inappropriate for children. Individual users must exercise judgment in evaluating the validity and appropriateness of information retrieved via the Internet and must assume personal responsibility for their use of the workstation. The Anderson County Library System cannot be held liable for the content of any Internet site.

While the ACL System upholds users’ rights to privacy and confidentiality in their use of all library resources, the nature of electronic resources makes it impossible to guarantee these rights. Since some Internet sites may be inappropriate for viewing in a public setting, users should exercise discretion in consideration of the rights of others.

Children’s Use

The Internet provides access to valuable educational and informational resources for minor children and youth, who are expected to abide by this policy. As with other library resources, the ACL System affirms the responsibility of parents to determine the appropriateness of Internet resources for their children. Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to supervise their children’s Internet use, as library staff cannot act in the place of a parent or guardian and assume this responsibility. For more information on children and the Internet, ask a library staff member for a copy of Child Safety on the Information Highway.

Access Criteria

The library will implement software and/or network control mechanisms designed to limit or restrict access to sources of information or images deemed to be obscene within the scope of federal and state obscenity laws and the constitutional test for obscenity provided by the United States Supreme Court in the "Miller Test" announced in "Miller vs. California", 413 U.S. 15, 24-25 (1973), "Smith v. United States", 431 U.S. 291, 300-02, 309 (1977), and "Pope v Illinois", 481 U.S. 497, 500-01 (1987), etc.

The library will also implement software and/or network control mechanisms designed to limit or restrict access to images that may be deemed to be child pornography, containing a visual representation of a minor under 18 years of age engaging in sexually explicit conduct, as defined in 18 U.S.C.2256.  There is an inference that a participant in sexual activity, depicted as a minor through its title, text, visual representation, or otherwise, is a minor.

Pornography Definitions

For Library purposes pornography is defined as information or images that may be deemed to be obscene, including hardcore pornography depicting sexual acts where penetration of the genitals is clearly visible, or where lewd exhibitions of the genitals, excretory functions and masturbation are exhibited.

Child pornography is defined in the same manner but with children as the focal point.  It includes sexually suggestive photographs of children with the child portrayed as half or partially clothed, posed in such a way as to suggest or depict a willingness to engage in sexual activity or sexually coy attitude.

Conditions and Terms of Use

A.  Patrons at Internet workstations must behave in accordance with the ACL System’s rules of conduct.

B.  The ACL System may establish sign-up procedures and time limits for use of the Internet workstations.

C.  Library staff will assist Internet users in a manner consistent with other ACL System services. The availability of staff and needs of other users will necessarily affect the extent of assistance in Internet use.

D.  The ACL System does not provide individual e-mail accounts on its server. Users may not send, receive, or download e-mail on the library’s server.

E.  Users may print documents according to posted procedures.

F.  Users violate Internet and Computer Usage policy whenever:

1. They damage or attempt to damage equipment; alter or attempt to alter software configurations; or attempt to gain unauthorized access to or cause disruption of the library’s computer system or any other computer  system.

2. They attempt to by-pass web filtering software, or instruct or demonstrate to another person how to bypass web filtering software

3. Violate copyright laws or software licensing agreements.

4. Display or send obscene (as defined by SC Code 16-15-305) images, messages, or files.

5. Violate state, federal, or local laws or regulations as listed above.

6. Use their own software media or download or install software, including that containing pornographic content, on Internet or other library workstations.

7. Post messages to chat rooms, newsgroups, bulletin boards, or discussion groups on the Internet workstations.

8. Play games on the Internet workstations other than those provided.

 YOU MUST HAVE A LIBRARY CARD IN ORDER TO USE THE INTERNET!

Penalties for Policy Violations

  Violations of this policy may result in loss of Internet access or other ACL System privileges. Unlawful acts are subject to prosecution by local, state, and federal authorities.

This policy replaces the policy approved by the Anderson County Library System Board of Trustees, 1997, 
and is subject to Board revision.

  Adopted September 10, 2001, Revised April 18, 2006